Beaded closure for containers

ABSTRACT

A closure for a container body includes a central panel having a removable portion defined by a line of weakness and a fixed portion surrounding the removable portion and secured to the container body. The fixed portion is detachably joined to the removable portion by an uninterrupted hollow bead disposed below the plane of both portions, the bead having a transverse cross section defining an open top channel. One edge of the opening of the channel is connected to the removable portion at the line of weakness, and the other edge of the opening is connected to the fixed portion, the channel affording entrance for a conventional can closure opening tool which separates the removable portion from the bead at the line of weakness.

nited States Patent Koboldt, deceased et al.

[ Sept. 24, 1974 BEADED CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS [75] Inventors: Melvin A. Koboldt, deceased, late of St. Louis, M0. by Norma Koboldt, executrix; Ellsworth J. Ruf, Florissant; Anthony W. Kennedy, Crestwood, both of Mo.

[73] Assignee: Container Corporation of America,

Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Jan. 18, 1973 [21] Appl. No.2 324,860

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1946 Ottesen 2/1967 Walter Hothersall 220/48 X Primary ExaminerWilliam 1. Price Assistant Examiner-Steven M. Pollard Attorney, Agent, or FirmCarpenter, Ostis & Lindberg [5 7 ABSTRACT A closure for a container body includes a central panel having a removable portion defined by a line of weakness and a fixed portion surrounding the removable portion and secured to the container body. The fixed portion is detachably joined to the removable portion by an uninterrupted hollow bead disposed below the plane of both portions, the bead having a transverse cross section defining an open top channel. One edge of the opening of the channel is connected to the removable portion at the line of weakness, and the other edge of the opening is connected to the fixed portion, the channel affording entrance for a conventional can closure opening tool which separates the removable portion from the bead at the line of weakness.

1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figures I11 1/ If BEADED CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates generally to containers of the type having closures provided with a line of weakness which may be readily fractured to provide access to the interior of the container. The line of weakness is located adjacent a bead connecting a removable central portion and a fixed portion secured to the container body, the bead providing a channel for insertion of an opening tool thereinto which fractures the line of weakness for access to the container.

2. The Prior Art The prior art patents disclose structures whereby the central panel of the container closure is removed by the operation of a pull tab. In the structure according to the present invention, access to the container contents is achieved by manipulation of a conventional container opening device, and upon removal of the central panel of the closure, access is readily provided to the containter contents, at the same time a remnant bead being provided enabling the hand to enter the container without danger of injury thereto by a raw edge resulting from the removal of the center panel.

Structures of the general kind are exemplified in the following patents:

Taylor 3,303,958 Feb. 14. 1967 220/54 lrland 3,342,367 Sept. 19, I967 220/54 Westphal et al. 3,406,867 Oct. 22, I968 220/54 LaCroce et al. 3,430,802 March 4, 1969 220/54 Fraze et al. 3,432,068 March ll, I969 220/54 Cookson 3,434,623 March 25, I969 220/54 Adams 3,499,573 March 10, 1970 220/54 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The structure according to the present invention includes a central removable panel defined by a line of weakness connecting a central panel portion to a portion of the closure which is fixed to the container body, the line of weakness being located at a bead defining an open-topped channel enabling a tool to enter the channel and to cause a fracture of the line of weakness. The bead remaining after the removal of the central panel protects the hand entering the opened container.

THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a plan view of a closure according to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view showing the closure in position on a container body.

SPECIFICATION The improved closure is referred to by the reference numeral and is shown in FIG. 2 as secured to a container body 11. The closure 10 includes a central panel 12 having a removable portion 13 and a fixed portion 16, the closure 10 being secured to the container body by a conventional double seam 19. A vertical annular portion 17 connects the fixed portion 16 to the seam 19. A bead 18 having a transverse cross section defining a channel with an uninterrupted opening 21 therein connects the removable portion 13 with the fixed portion 16. One edge of the opening of the channel-shaped bead 18 is connected to the removable panel 13 at the line of weakness 14, and the other edge of opening 21 is connected to the fixed portion 16. Bead 18 lies below the plane of central panel 12.

Opening 21 of the channel-shaped head 18 affords entrance for a conventional can opening tool so that the removable panel can be separated from the bead 18 at the line of weakness 14. The tool may be in the form of a conventional, manually operated can opener or in the form of a rotary type opener having a cutting wheel entrant at opening 21 as is well known- The removal of portion 13 results in the bead 18 remaining in position with the torn edge resulting from the fracturing of the line of weakness 14 being protected. Obviously, bead l8 affords protection of a hand into the container body 11 after the removal of portion 13.

We claim:

1. In a closure for a container having a container body:

a. a central panel having:

i. a removable portion defined by a line of weakness;

ii. a fixed portion surrounding the removable portion and secured to said container body;

b. said fixed portion being detachable joined to the removable portion by an uninterrupted hollow bead disposed entirely below the plane of said removable portion;

c. said hollow bead having a transverse cross section defining a generally toroidal-shaped open-topped channel;

i. said hollow bead having an edge which is turned toward said fixed portion and which is connected to said removable portion at said line of weakness;

d. said open-topped channel affording entrance for a tool separating said removable portion from said bead at said line of weakness;

e. said open-topped channel remaining in position upon removal of said removable portion and having a raw edge at the opening thereof which is turned away from the opening resulting from removal of said removal portion. a: 

1. In a closure for a container having a container body: a. a central panel having: i. a removable portion defined by a line of weakness; ii. a fixed portion surrounding the removable portion and secured to said container body; b. said fixed portion being detachable joined to the removable portion by an uninterrupted hollow bead disposed entirely below the plane of said removable portion; c. said hollow bead having a transverse cross section defining a generally toroidal-shaped open-topped channel; i. said hollow bead having an edge which is turned toward said fixed portion and which is connected to said removable portion at said line of weakness; d. said open-topped channel affording entrance for a tool separating said removable portion from said bead at said line of weakness; e. said open-topped channel remaining in position upon removal of said removable portion and having a raw edge at the opening thereof which is turned away from the opening resulting from removal of said removal portion. 